Melanie Sykes reveals she will detail her struggles with ‘fame, trauma, self-medicating’ and being diagnosed with autism at 51 in a tell-all book
Melanie Sykes has revealed that she will be publish a tell-all book discussing the challenges she’s faced since being diagnosed with autism at the age of 51.
The presenter, 52, shared her diagnosis in 2021, and said it’s been an ‘arduous road’ learning to ‘understand her neurodivergent mind and sensitivities,’ but hopes that by writing about them she can help others.
Melanie also told The Mirror that her book will touch on ‘fame, motherhood, self-medicating and trauma,’ as well as coming back from a ‘huge breakdown’ in the wake of her autism diagnosis.
She said: ‘Getting a late diagnosis and having to learn about and understand my neurodivergent mind and sensitivities has indeed unlocked my happiness but it’s been an arduous road.
‘Writing this book sometimes felt like I was performing open-heart surgery on myself but I knew how necessary it was. I can now put it out into the world unapologetically and confidently because sharing all the wisdom my life has given me makes it all worthwhile.
Candid: Melanie Sykes has revealed that she will be publish a tell-all book discussing the challenges she’s faced since being diagnosed with autism at the age of 51
Mel added that ‘her story is one of honesty, resilience and growth in the face of challenge. By turns hard-hitting and joyful, it’s packed with surprise, hope and calls to action.’
She also said that she has wanted to write a book for some time, and her diagnosis ‘shone light across my entire life but took time to unpick.’
The former Today with Des and Mel host was diagnosed with autism in 2021, as her 18-year-old son Valentino has the same developmental disability.
Melanie has previously spoken openly about having autism, appearing on John Bishop’s podcast Three Little Words back in April.
During the podcast, Melanie said that she doesn’t see autism as a ‘disorder’ and told how it made ‘complete sense’ when she was diagnosed.
She began: ‘My youngest son has autism, and I’ve been diagnosed with it too. I’ve had to look at what it all means now, and it makes complete and utter sense.’
Comedian John then asked her if she had been diagnosed as a child, would she have felt limited in what she could do in her life in terms of forging a career in showbiz.
‘There’s no space for autistic people in this world,’ Melanie said, as she told John there wasn’t an ‘ideal’ profession that would suit someone on the spectrum.
Candid: The presenter said her book will touch on ‘fame, motherhood, self-medicating and trauma,’ as well as coming back from a ‘huge breakdown’ in the wake of her autism diagnosis
‘This is another thing that I’m going to change,’ she explained. ‘Because there is no walks of life where it’s okay, people are still scratching their head about autistic people and what does it mean.
‘These people have got so much to offer the world, I do not see it as a disorder at all. It’s just a different wiring of you,’ the star added.
In September, Melanie opened up about bouncing back from a ‘huge breakdown’ and being more raw about her struggles as she noted that the world can feel ‘quite brutal’.
Open: The former Today with Des and Mel host was diagnosed with autism in 2021, as her 18-year-old son Valentino has the same developmental disability
She also detailed her battle with receiving a prescription for medicinal Cannabis to help – admitting that it was ‘a long time coming’ after seeking advice from multiple GPs.
Chatting openly with her 303,000 Instagram followers, Melanie shared: ‘I wanted to come on and talk to you about my week this week.
‘Something incredible finally happened, I’ve been trying to get myself a prescription for medicinal Cannabis and I was finally able to get an appointment with a few GPs who agreed that medical Cannabis would help with unmasking my autism.
‘The more I unmask and start getting rid of my thick skin and being open with other people, I’ve become even more sensitive than I already am.
‘Therefore I have been experiencing a lot of anxiety. Some of you will know I’ve been in the process of coming back from a huge breakdown so I’m thrilled. It’s going to be a huge experiment and hopefully it works for me so let’s see.’
Open: On John Bishop’s podcast Three Little Words in April, Melanie said that she doesn’t see autism as a ‘disorder’ and told how it made ‘complete sense’ when she was diagnosed
Continuing, the TV personality explained that she’s been taking shop bought CBD oil for a number of years – keeping an ‘SOS kit’ on her at all times with CBD products inside.
Touching on her struggle with agoraphobia, which is the fear of entering open or crowded places, leaving home, or being in places from which escape is difficult, Melanie shared that the SOS kit helps.
‘I have been taking CBD oil for years, it’s really helped and there’s so many on the market. I’ve tried quite a few of them and I use one called ‘Canamis’.
‘When I became agoraphobic I made an SOS kit with a paper bag, tissues and my prayer beads so that I can do a meditation and a few Cannabis products.
‘I have to take CBD oil in conjunction to my new prescription so have the oil and also a CBD stress ball.
‘I’ll keep you updated on how my prescription is doing and how I’m doing – it’s really a whole new world hopefully for me, to be able to function in the world that feels really quite brutal for me. Oh my god it’s been a long time coming,’ Melanie concluded.
Insight: She also detailed her battle with receiving a prescription for medicinal Cannabis to help – admitting that it was ‘a long time coming’ after seeking advice from multiple GPs
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